Commonly asked questions
By offering concise and informative responses, this section helps users find solutions without the need to contact customer support, saving time
Our compact retrofit units remove humidity and filter outdoor air before it hits your AC system. Your equipment does less work, uses less energy, and lasts longer, no replacement needed.
Think of us as a pre-treatment system or a supercharger for your packaged units. We handle what traditional AC can't do efficiently.
Building owners and operators with:
- Rooftop AC units (RTUs)
- VRF systems
- Commercial split systems
- Modular DX units
- Portable buildings
If you're dealing with humidity problems, high energy bills, or struggling to meet ventilation requirements and you don't want to replace equipment that still works, this is for you.
Common building types: Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), dining, retail, schools, senior living, hotels, small offices, theaters, and healthcare facilities.
We're a retrofit, not a replacement. You don't need to rip out working equipment. We integrate with existing systems, saving massive CapEx.
We're compact. Other outdoor air products are bulky and expensive. Our lightweight and compact systems fit on rooftops without structural modifications.
We're space-proven. NASA flight-certified our core technology for human spaceflight. That level of validation doesn't exist for other commercial HVAC solutions.
We handle the physics problem. Many proposed "solutions" are software controls that optimize what you have. We actually remove the humidity load before cooling starts, changing the fundamental equation.
Savings depend on your building's current systems, runtime patterns, climate zone, and local energy costs.
What we know:
- HVAC energy costs can drop up to 30% annually over the same rate of outdoor air
- Equipment life extends due to reduced strain
- Maintenance costs decline with fewer breakdowns
- Comfort improves, reducing tenant complaints
We're developing a calculator tool (available in 2026) that will estimate savings for your specific situation.
On a CapEx basis, Helix Earth systems cost substantially less than DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems) while delivering comparable or better performance.
Pricing depends on:
- Airflow requirements (CFM)
- Number of units needed
- Building configuration
- Installation complexity
What we can tell you:
- Significantly less expensive than DOAS systems
- Lower cost per CFM of outdoor air than any alternative
- Financing and incentive programs may be available
For specific pricing, request a consultation. We'll assess your building and provide a custom quote.
Typical installation timeline:
- Site survey and design: 1–2 weeks
- Equipment delivery: Based on production schedule
- Physical installation: Hours to 1 day per unit
- Commissioning and tuning: 1–2 days
Disruption:
- Minimal to none for most buildings
- No building shutdown required
- Work can often be scheduled during off-hours
- Your HVAC keeps running throughout
Absolutely. This is one of our key value propositions.
By removing humidity upstream, we can increase outdoor air without expensive equipment upgrades. Many buildings have had OA dampers closed permanently by maintenance staff because the HVAC couldn't handle the load. Now you can reopen them and actually meet code and occupant requirements without sacrificing comfort and humidity control in your building.
Helix retrofits can enable code-compliant outdoor air rates (ASHRAE 62.1) that were previously impossible or prohibitively expensive with your existing systems.
Yes. Our installations are designed to align with:
Ventilation standards:
- ASHRAE 62.1 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality)
Energy standards:
- ASHRAE 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings)
- Title 24 (California Energy Code)
- Local Law 97 (NYC Building Emissions)
- IECC (International Energy Conservation Code)
Safety certifications:
- ETL/UL certification in progress
- Building code compliance across major jurisdictions
We're a Houston-based hardtech company founded in 2022 by two Rice University alumni.
Leadership:
- Dr. Rawand Rasheed, CEO: 5+ years at NASA, PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Rice, inventor of the Helix MICRA™ technology and Forbes 30 Under 30
- Brad Husick, Co-Founder & CBO: Serial entrepreneur with 4 successful startups (IPO, acquisition, $1.5B+ valuations)
Funding:
$9MM total raised ($7.3MM dilutive capital raised + $2.3MM in non-dilutive funding).
For building owners: Place a purchase order.
For HVAC contractors/distributors: Join our partner program. Get early access to products, training, and support to serve your customers.
For investors: Request investor materials and schedule a meeting with our leadership team.
For job seekers: Explore open positions and reach out to our hiring team.
Still have questions?
If your question isn't listed here, feel free to contact us or start a live chat with our team. We're happy to help!